France Tests Upgraded M51.3 Nuclear Missile From Submarine

France conducted the first submarine launch of its upgraded M51.3 nuclear-capable missile on Tuesday. The test firing from the nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine Le Vigilant occurred off the coast of Brittany, following the vessel's major overhaul.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces confirmed the details. The missile, launched without a warhead, splashed down in the North Atlantic several hundred kilometers from any coastline. This was the first French submarine-launched ballistic missile test in three years.

Technical and operational significance

The M51.3 variant offers improved range, accuracy, and penetration capability compared to its predecessor. It is a central part of France's broader nuclear modernization, which includes building new ballistic-missile submarines and upgrading the Rafale fighter jet to carry a future hypersonic nuclear cruise missile.

The solid-propellant three-stage missile weighs more than 50 metric tons. It carries four to six multiple independently-targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) and is equipped with the new TNO-2 oceanic nuclear warhead. ArianeGroup states the M51 reaches an altitude exceeding 2,000 kilometers before reentering the atmosphere at a speed of Mach 20.

The M51.3 ensures the long-term credibility of the ocean-based component of France's nuclear forces. Each of the country's four ballistic missile submarines can carry sixteen of these missiles.

Strategic messaging and political context

President Emmanuel Macron observed the launch from the warship Auvergne. He later called the test vital for strategic credibility, noting it would be watched by allies and adversaries alike. Macron stated the launch demonstrated the credibility and long-term viability of France's nuclear deterrent.

Emmanuel Macron said: "This is a very important moment for our strategic credibility."

The defence ministry said the test was carried out in strict compliance with France's international commitments. It stated the M51.3 missile meets the level required by the international security environment and reflects Macron's commitment to maintaining operational credibility.

The launch followed Macron's recent warnings about a shift in Russian aggression and hybrid attacks against European countries. In mid-September, he vowed that such attacks would not go unanswered. France, as the European Union's only nuclear-armed state, has proposed that European partners join its 'advanced' deterrence framework, though details remain vague.

Historical and programmatic background

This launch marks the seventh submarine firing of an M51 variant and the 13th launch of the missile overall. The program began with a ground test from the Biscarrosse launch site in 2006. The first submarine launch occurred from the SSBN Le Terrible in January 2010.

Every major overhaul of a French nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is followed by an acceptance test firing of the M51. ArianeGroup and France’s Directorate General for Armament completed a first flight test of the modernized M51 from a ground site in southwest France in 2023. The new missile entered operational service in October last year. All M51 launches have been conducted without a nuclear warhead.

France will continue to modernize its nuclear deterrent. This includes the construction of new ballistic-missile submarines and the development of hypersonic capabilities for the Rafale jet.